Certified Medical CBD and THC Specialist
I came across one or more concerns that I consider deal-breakers, so I decided not to move forward with a full review.
My deep-dive reviews take a significant amount of time, and as a one-woman operation, I’d rather spend that time reviewing brands that meet a minimum standard for trust and transparency, ingredients, and lab testing.
Please see below for details.
Overall Score
How straightforward and trustworthy is Lazarus Naturals?
Are their ingredients natural, high-quality, and safe?
Do they third-party lab test products for quality and safety?
While Lazarus Naturals has some strengths, the issues below had the greatest impact on its final score and lack of recommendation.
Independent lab testing is one of the most important factors I evaluate. In this case, I couldn’t verify that the reports belonged to the finished retail products. The reports included photos of loose capsules and gummies or what appeared to be CBD concentrate in a syringe rather than the packaged products themselves. In addition, the reports typically identified the samples with generic descriptions such as “Topical” instead of the actual product names.
Without a clear way to connect the reports to the products customers receive, I couldn’t confidently verify exactly what was tested.
Each set of results also included a company-generated summary interpreting the lab findings. While providing additional information isn’t inherently a problem, the finished product photos appeared only on these company-created pages, not on the independent laboratory reports themselves. The lab reports never identified the actual retail product by name, making it impossible to independently verify that the reports belonged to the finished products being sold. Because the connection between the independent testing and the retail products couldn’t be verified, this was a significant red flag for me.
Below are three examples taken directly from the lab reports and accompanying company-generated summary pages so you can see exactly what I saw. Rather than simply taking my word for it, I encourage you to review the images yourself and decide whether the testing clearly identifies the finished products being sold.
One of the biggest reasons this brand lost points for transparency was the conflicting information about where its hemp comes from.
Lazarus Naturals prominently advertises on every product page that “all our hemp is grown in-house” and that it controls the entire process “from seed to sale.” Because this message appears throughout the website, it’s clearly presented as one of the brand’s key selling points.
However, I found conflicting information elsewhere on the website. In a FAQ within the Learning Center, the company states that about 70% of its hemp is grown on Lazarus Farms, while the remaining hemp is sourced from other Oregon farms that meet its quality standards.
To clarify the discrepancy, I contacted customer service. They confirmed that the company does source hemp from other Oregon farms, including hemp used to produce its CBG isolate products.
I don’t deduct points because a company sources hemp from multiple farms. Many reputable CBD brands do exactly that. I deduct points because Lazarus Naturals repeatedly promotes that all of its hemp is grown in-house, while other information provided by the company says otherwise. Because hemp sourcing is one of the brand’s primary marketing claims, I considered this a significant transparency issue.
I’ve included screenshots of both the product page and the Learning Center below so you can compare the statements for yourself.
There were a few other issues I found during my review, including customer service, shipping, and return policy concerns, but those were relatively minor compared to the transparency and lab testing issues discussed above.
My goal isn’t to slam Lazarus Naturals. In fact, I was genuinely hoping the brand would score well. It has some things going for it, and there are aspects of the company that I appreciate.
However, I also know what it’s like to spend money on a product after trusting a review, only to discover later that the reviewer didn’t do their homework or simply repeated the company’s marketing claims. For many people, including those living with chronic health conditions, choosing a CBD product isn’t a casual purchase. That’s why I believe it’s important to evaluate the evidence carefully and be honest about what I find, even when the results are disappointing.
Unfortunately, the issues I uncovered were significant enough that Lazarus Naturals earned an overall score of 58 out of 100. Based on my review methodology, that means I can’t recommend the brand at this time.
Whenever possible, I include photos, screenshots, lab reports, and other documentation to help illustrate the findings discussed in my reviews. Please click the images to enlarge.
Want to learn more? Explore the resources below to see how I review CBD brands, why you can trust my findings, and more.
With so many CBD products on the market, it can be incredibly hard to figure out which ones are genuinely high-quality and which ones are mostly clever marketing. New brands are constantly popping up, labels can be confusing, and many reviews online barely scratch the surface, or they simply repeat marketing claims.
That’s exactly why I created my own completely custom scoring system.
For every review, I collect and organize a huge amount of data in detailed scoring spreadsheets covering things like ingredients, lab testing, transparency, product labeling, pricing, customer policies, educational content, and overall product quality. I also look closely at anything that feels potentially misleading, vague, or overly hyped because I believe reviews should be based on facts and evidence, not marketing hot air.
From there, each brand and product is carefully scored across key categories including Trust and Transparency, Ingredients, and Lab Testing. The goal is to create a more consistent and unbiased way to evaluate products while still keeping real-world usability and overall value in mind.
I also share the original scoring sheets used during the review process so you can see exactly how the scores were earned. If you’d like to take a closer look, you can jump directly to them below by clicking here.
Trust and Transparency Scoring Overview
Trust and Transparency scoring focuses on how clearly, honestly, and responsibly a company communicates with consumers. Companies are rewarded for transparency, accessible customer support, straightforward policies, meaningful educational content, and marketing practices that avoid misleading or potentially problematic claims.
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients scoring focuses on transparency, ingredient quality, the thoughtful use of natural ingredients, and minimizing unnecessary or potentially problematic ingredients.
Ingredients Validity Requirements
Lab Testing Scoring Overview
Lab Testing scoring focuses on how thoroughly, transparently, and reliably a company verifies the safety and contents of its products through third-party testing. Companies are rewarded for providing accessible, current, and verifiable lab reports with accurate cannabinoid analysis, meaningful contaminant testing, and clear product identification.
Lab Testing Validity Requirements
To be considered valid for my reviews, lab testing should meet the following criteria:
There are no brand partnerships and no outside influence behind my reviews. They’re based entirely on my own research, experience, and standards.
CBD has been a big part of my personal wellness routine for many years, helping me manage severe chronic pain, anxiety, and sleep issues. So when you read a review here, it’s coming from someone who has genuinely been in your shoes, searching for honest information and coming up empty.
There’s also formal training behind these reviews. The certification I hold as a Medical THC and CBD Specialist through the University of Colorado means you’re getting more than just opinions.
Everything here is backed by evidence, often in the form of screenshots, so you can see the information for yourself rather than simply taking my word for it. And when it comes to affiliate partnerships, the only brands you’ll see here are ones I’d genuinely recommend to my own friends and family. If something isn’t up to par, you’ll hear about it.
For CBD brands looking to understand my review process better, scoring system, or what I look for when evaluating products and companies, please visit the For CBD Brands page.
